One Autumn Evening

My story is very short. But believe me, this incident changed my entire life and has haunted me for almost a year now.

It all happened on a typical autumn evening, a Saturday. The day had been spent occupied with household chores, and my husband and I hadn't gone anywhere, not even opening the front door. After dinner, I settled down to read a book, snugly nestled in a den of armchairs and blankets, while my husband went into another room to enjoy "Tanks." I heard some lines from the game, then they stopped. Judging by the sounds, my husband had gone into the bathroom to take a shower for the night. As always, the sound of running water began. I continued reading, mechanically noting my husband's actions. Time passed, and I began to worry—the sound of running water had stopped ten minutes ago, but no one had come out of the bathroom. Maybe he was feeling ill?

I started knocking on his door, but there was silence. After another ten minutes, I managed to pry the latch and open the door. The bathroom was empty. A wet towel lay on the floor, my husband's clothes were hanging on a hook. But my husband himself was gone. I assumed it was a prank and went to check each room in turn, trying to ignore how my hands were shaking and how pitifully I was calling for my beloved.

What can I tell you... I still have all his clothes and documents. His parents and friends are looking for him as fast as they can, coming up with various versions of what happened, including running away with another woman. But I know no one left our apartment that day.